Are you stuck in worry mode? The COVID-19 pandemic pushed a lot of businesses and entrepreneurs from thriving to panicking in a matter of weeks. The truth is, business owners can go from Thrive Mode to Panic Mode for a variety of reasons, whether there is a global pandemic or not.

Worry and concern are natural parts of running a business. If you did not worry, you probably would not care about your business very much. Unfortunately, worry can morph into panic and leave you frozen in place. It is important to leverage your worry for your benefit instead of letting it take over your business. Keep reading to learn how to worry less while running your business.

Understand What Worry Is

Worry is about not knowing the details. Worry is about not having a plan. Worry is about not having the actual numbers for your business plan, or being unclear on what needs to be done to solve a problem. In reality, most business owners should be past the worry phase of COVID-19. While the pandemic certainly brought on many changes and challenges, it is time to leave worry behind and shift into action.

If you have a problem in your business, you can easily fall into the worry trap. You may not know how you are going to pay your bills or pay wages for your employees. If you are still in worry mode, it is crucial to put in some more time and thinking. Sit down and work out where you are financially now, where you need to be, and how you can get from Point A to Point B.

Five Steps to Getting Out of Worry Mode

Success can only occur when you transition from worrying to thriving, but that is often easier said than done. Whether your business is facing a major setback, an unexpected obstacle, or a global pandemic, there are five key steps to getting out of worry mode and back on the right track.

Step 1: Identify Where You Are Now

You cannot move forward unless you fully understand the situation you are in. Much of worry and anxiety comes from uncertainty. Start to break the cycle by identifying where you are currently. Ask yourself the following questions to spark brainstorming and planning.

  • Where am I right now?
  • What is going on with my business and my industry? My personal life? The world?
  • What is my level of success?
  • What is my problem?
  • How much do I need (resources, money, time, etc.)?
  • Where do I need it?
Step 2: What is Causing the Worry?

Next, you have to identify the one or two major factors that are causing your worry. Instead of listing out every issue, problem, or grievance currently on your plate, focus on the top one or two most worrisome items. By narrowing your focus to one or two items, you can eliminate unnecessary worry.

Step 3: Identify the Cause of Your Worry Points

Once you have identified the top one or two worry points for your business, you must sit down and identify the cause. Finding the root of the worry can help identify what is within your control and what is outside of your control. This process can also help determine what is actually impacting your business and bust a lot of myths that may be causing undue stress.

Step 4: Imagine You Are Not Worried

It may sound silly, but this technique is very helpful when transitioning from worrying to thriving. Ask yourself what it would look like if you were not worried. What do you need the situation to be like as opposed to what it is now? This could be the amount of money you need in the bank, a specific customer or account you need to land, the removal or regulations limiting your business, etc.

Step 5: Make an Action Plan

Finally, to get out of worry mode, list the first three things you can do to stop your worries from being a reality. As mentioned earlier, worry occurs when things are unknown. By identifying your issues, finding the root cause of your worries, and creating a plan, you can eliminate the unknowns in your business. Following a to-do list of actionable items puts you back in control of your business.